Philadelphia Flyers @ Columbus Blue Jackets

Monahan’s availability is a major variable

Sean Monahan exited against Tampa Bay with 29 seconds left in the second period, did not return, and then skipped Columbus’ Nov. 13 practice with an upper-body injury. That makes his status more consequential than a routine day-to-day designation, especially with Columbus already showing forward-line volatility.

Columbus is leaning on its top-end offense

Adam Fantilli’s late scoring ability and Valeri Nichushkin’s reported second-line placement with Fantilli give Columbus credible high-end routes. However, inconsistent depth, Conor Garland’s health concern, and recurring scratches make the Blue Jackets more dependent on those core contributors than on balanced scoring.

Werenski’s finishing concern weakens a key Columbus catalyst

Zach Werenski said chances he would normally bury are not going in and described Columbus as being off its team game. He still runs the first power-play unit, but that role does not fully offset the current finishing and confidence concern.

Philadelphia’s top line has a clearer offensive signal

Tyson Foerster, Trevor Zegras, and Travis Konecny stayed together at the Nov. 13 practice, with Zegras centering the group. Foerster already scored on the power play in Edmonton and was described as looking healthier, while the line’s upside gives Philadelphia a more defined offensive angle than its recent close losses suggest.

Philadelphia’s blue-line roles point to Sanheim volume

Travis Sanheim remains paired with Jamie Drysdale and scored on three shots against Edmonton, while prior reporting expects his heavy minutes to produce peripherals. Rasmus Ristolainen’s return adds defensive stability, but his third-pair placement limits the offensive-minute case for his own shot production.

Columbus’ discipline adds game-state volatility

Miles Wood’s aggressive style can draw penalties, but Columbus has also shown costly infractions and defensive rotation changes tied to discipline. That special-teams volatility makes a tight game more sensitive to individual matchups and reduces the appeal of treating the Blue Jackets as a stable home-side play.

Pick Ideas

Angles drawn from the matchup analysis above and refreshed as the news changes. They are a separate read from the LineCrush pick for this matchup, so the two can land on different sides.

Sean Monahan under shots on goal

Monahan’s upper-body injury, early exit against Tampa Bay, and skipped Nov. 13 practice support an under on his shots-on-goal market. The bet also accounts for Columbus’ lineup volatility and the possibility that his usual first-line and first-power-play workload is reduced or unavailable.

Zach Werenski under points

Werenski’s own admission that normally convertible chances are not going in, combined with his comment that Columbus is off in its team game, supports an under on his points. His first-power-play role preserves opportunity, but Columbus’ current dependence on Fantilli and other core scorers makes Werenski’s finishing form a concern.

Tyson Foerster over points

Foerster’s placement with Zegras and Konecny gives him a concentrated offensive role, and he recently scored a power-play goal while producing three shots. Philadelphia’s refreshed top line is the clearest Flyers scoring unit in this matchup, while Columbus’ defensive rotation instability adds support to the over.

Travis Sanheim over shots on goal

Sanheim’s net-crashing goal on three shots, continued pairing with Drysdale, and expected heavy minutes create a strong volume case. Philadelphia’s active blue-line deployment can pressure a Columbus defense that has been changing personnel based on discipline and performance.

Adam Fantilli anytime goal, especially live if Columbus trails

Fantilli’s first-line role and demonstrated breakaway finishing make him Columbus’ most direct goal threat. Because the Blue Jackets are leaning heavily on their core scorers while depth remains unsettled, his anytime-goal value is particularly relevant if Columbus is chasing the game late.

Travis Konecny over shots on goal

Konecny stayed on the top line with Foerster and Zegras, and Philadelphia observers have identified getting pucks toward the net as the key to unlocking his unit. Even with recent concerns about finishing, that role supports a shots-on-goal over more directly than a points wager.